Abstract
Tadpoles of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, adapted to fresh water at different concentrations of calcium and sodium had similar plasma calcium levels. This would indicate rather efficient regulating mechanisms for this ion. Tadpoles kept in tap water exhibited hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy. Surgical removal of the pituitary gland in tadpoles adapted to low-sodium and low-calcium levels also produced hypocalcemia and hyponatremia. When the animals were kept in 0.3% sodium chloride solution, hypophysectomy produced only hypocalcemia but not hyponatremia. This suggests that the pituitary gland in tadpoles is involved in calcium regulation. Prolactin injections into tadpoles adapted to high-calcium and high-sodium water elicited significant hypercalcemia. It seems that in tadpoles both the parathyroid and the pituitary glands are important in plasma calcium regulation.
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